Harmanpreet: Recognition at Hockey India Awards Drives Team Motivation
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Synopsis
India's captain Harmanpreet Singh reflects on the significance of the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024, emphasizing the motivation it brings to the team. He highlights the support of his teammates and the inspiration drawn from hockey legends, as the team aims for success in the upcoming Olympic cycle.
Key Takeaways
- Harmanpreet Singh celebrates receiving the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award.
- The award was presented by a family member of a hockey legend.
- The Hockey India Annual Awards motivate players significantly.
- The team is focused on World Cup qualification.
- Listening to 1975 World Cup winners inspires the current team.
New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) The captain of India, Harmanpreet Singh, has been in spectacular form this past year, earning him multiple accolades, including the FIH Player of the Year 2024. However, the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024, bestowed by a family member of the legendary hockey player from India’s golden era, is particularly meaningful to him. The awards ceremony took place earlier this month in New Delhi.
Reflecting on this significant moment, Harmanpreet stated, "This award is incredibly special to me. It's not only given by the family of one of the greatest players in Indian hockey history, but it is also presented in front of an audience filled with hockey legends from both past and present. This year's Hockey India Annual Awards were particularly memorable, as we celebrated our accomplishments alongside the heroes of the 1975 Hockey World Cup."
He emphasized that his individual achievements as a prolific scorer for India could not have been realized without the unwavering support of his teammates. "I dedicate this award to them and my family, who have always supported me unconditionally. I’ve mentioned before that my goals are also a result of my team’s efforts," he remarked.
Harmanpreet has consistently performed at a high level for India, notably scoring twice against Spain to secure the Olympic bronze medal last year. He continued this success in the Asian Champions Trophy in Hulunbuir and led the team in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25, where they currently stand third in the points table.
"The start of this new Olympic cycle has been promising for the team. We are on the rise and focused on elevating our performance, especially this year with World Cup qualification on the line. Listening to the 1975 World Cup winning team at the Hockey India Awards about their experiences and the nation's admiration when they won the trophy even before cricket's triumph in the 1983 World Cup inspires us to replicate their success," Harmanpreet added.
Additionally, he mentioned that the annual awards from Hockey India serve as a significant source of motivation for the team. "With the annual awards taking place every year, it has been incredibly motivating for the players to receive recognition in the presence of their teammates, and we are thankful to Hockey India," he concluded.
